Command Sergeant Major Tommy L. Dunn was the keynote speaker for the annual Veterans Day ceremony held on Thursday, November 11 on the Washington County Courthouse square in Sandersville.
During his speech, Command Sergeant Major Dunn remarked that the freedom is not free.
CSM Dunn explained that Veterans Day is a time to honor servicemembers, and to remember the sacrifices that have been made, along with the courage that it took to defend Duty and Country.
“We celebrate on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year to recognize the conclusion of the Great War in 1918,” said CSM Dunn, noting Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day; it was made a legal holiday in 1938.
CSM Dunn stated that veterans come from all walks of life, but share several fundamental qualities – veterans possess courage, pride, determination, selflessness, and dedication to duty and integrity.
“All of these qualities are needed to serve a cause larger than oneself,” said CSM Dunn.
Ron May, who served as emcee for the program, discussed the significance of Veterans by sharing the following remarks: It is the veteran, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press. It is the veteran, not the poet who has given us freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the campus organizer who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the veteran who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag and whose coffin will be draped by the flag.
The Veterans Day Ceremony is sponsored annually by the American Legion Post 94 and the American Veterans Post 110.
Special thanks were extended to the following: City of Sandersville, WACO Printing, First Love Kids, GA. Defense Force, Howard Sheppard, Inc., Washington County Commissioners, Sandersville Police Department, The Flower Garden, The Georgian, WACO 100, T.J. Elder Middle School, Washington EMC, and Washington County High School.
